Gillette, WY to South Park, WY is 417.8 miles and takes about 8h 10m via West Yellowstone Highway and US 26 / US 287, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip spans across the Mountain West region, staying within Wyoming. Given the 8-hour drive time, it's best suited for an overnight stay, allowing for a more relaxed pace. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying driving conditions. Plan for at least two stops along the way to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.9 miles from Gillette, WY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Yellowstone Highway
94.3 mi
1h 47m
East Main Street
77.9 mi
1h 27m
US 26 / US 287
53.2 mi
1h
WY 387
51.3 mi
58m
State Highway 59 South
32.8 mi
35m
North Highway 89
29.3 mi
40m
US 26
21.6 mi
24m
I 25
20.1 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
West Yellowstone Highway
— 94.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~237 veh/hr typical
· worst 371
Quietest
2 AM
~20 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 86 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gillette, WY and South Park, WY.
1
Start on East 4th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East 4th Street
2
Turn right onto WY 59
5.0 mi·9 min·South Douglas Highway
3
Continue on WY 59
33 mi·35 min·State Highway 59 South
4
Turn right onto WY 387
51 mi·58 min·WY 387
5
Turn left onto WY 259
18 mi·20 min·WY 259
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 25 South: Casper
7
Merge onto I 25; US 87
20 mi·18 min·I 25; US 87
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Shoshoni, Port of Entry
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
10
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
2.7 mi·3 min·US 20; US 26
11
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
94 mi·1 hr 47 min·West Yellowstone Highway
12
Continue on US 26; WY 789
18 mi·20 min·US 26; WY 789
13
Continue on US 26; WY 789
4.0 mi·4 min·US 26; WY 789
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto US 26
78 mi·1 hr 27 min·East Main Street
15
Turn left onto US 26; US 287
2.2 mi·2 min·East Ramshorn Street
16
Continue on US 26; US 287
53 mi·1 hr·US 26 / US 287
17
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
23 mi·32 min·North Highway 89
18
Enter roundabout onto US 26; US 89; US 191
97 ft·5 sec·North Highway 89
19
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
6.0 mi·8 min·North Highway 89
20
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 191
0.9 mi·2 min·North Cache Street
21
Continue on South Cache Drive
392 ft·12 sec·South Cache Drive
22
Turn right onto West Pearl Avenue
0.4 mi·45 sec·West Pearl Avenue
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
1.0 mi·2 min·West Broadway Avenue
24
Continue on US 26; US 89; US 189; US 191
4.3 mi·6 min·South Highway 89
25
Turn right onto South Park Loop Road
0.6 mi·1 min·South Park Loop Road
26
Turn right onto Melody Creek Lane
0.7 mi·2 min·Melody Creek Lane
27
Arrive at destination
Melody Creek Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 417.8-mile drive, consider breaking it into two days, especially with an 8h 10m estimated duration. This allows for two stops and avoids a marathon driving day. Aim to depart Gillette, WY in the morning to maximize daylight hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $73, and it's wise to refuel before hitting longer stretches, like the 94.3-mile segment on West Yellowstone Highway. Having at least two planned stops will ensure you can stretch your legs and stay alert.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.9 miles from Gillette, WY, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 92 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.9 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 208.9 miles or 3h 57m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Park, WY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Gillette, WY so your first major turns are already loaded.
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Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
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Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
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Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gillette, WY
Aim for roughly 209 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into South Park, WY
Aim for roughly 209 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Gillette, WY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on West Yellowstone Highway for about 94.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 128.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|WY 59 / South Douglas Highway
Turn right onto WY 59 / South Douglas Highway
Navigation decision point
4
38.3 mi into trip|~46m in|WY 387
Turn right onto WY 387
Navigation decision point
4
89.5 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|WY 259
Turn left onto WY 259
Navigation decision point
6
107.6 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 25 South: Casper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 25 South: Casper
5
128.2 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Shoshoni, Port of Entry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 West, US 26 West, WY 220 West: Sho...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.46 one way
$144.91 round trip
$4.41/gal25.4 MPG avg146 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$75.78
$151.56
premium
$4.95
$81.42
$162.84
diesel
$5.60
$92.10
$184.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
125.3
1
$43.87
$20.05
Efficient EV
104.5
1
$36.56
$16.71
EV Truck/SUV
167.1
2
$58.49
$26.74
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Aug 30, 2026
Origin
Gillette, WY
Late night
in Gillette on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 AM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
W 10 to 15 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Destination
South Park, WY
Late night
in South Park on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 AM
MDT
Current temp
71°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny
SW 8 to 15 mph18% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Riverton, WY
209 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 10m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Grand Teton National Park
National Park
Soaring over a landscape rich with wildlife, pristine lakes, and majestic alpine vistas, the Teton Range stands as a testament to generations of stewards. For over 11,000 years, communities have thriv...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$35
near mile 389
Caution: Construction in the South End of the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a significant portion on main roads, with 56% of the route utilizing highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 94.3 miles on West Yellowstone Highway, offering extended periods of cruising. The profile is mixed, meaning you'll transition between highway driving and surface roads, likely noticing a change in speed limits and traffic density as you move between these two types of thoroughfares. Expect a blend of open road travel and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.3 mi on West Yellowstone Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near WY 59 / South Douglas Highway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 10m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 16 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point; at 38.3 miles (WY 387): Navigation decision point; at 89.5 miles (WY 259): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,050 ft4,552 ft
Total Climb
6,252 ft
Total Descent
4,748 ft
Highest Point
9,050 ft
~358.1 mi in
Elevation Range
4,499 ft
Notable High Points
5,447 ft at ~59.7 miles+569 ft prominence
6,158 ft at ~179.1 miles+622 ft prominence
9,050 ft at ~358.1 miles+2,012 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gillette, WY to South Park, WY, road signs begin pointing toward Port Of Entry along the way.
Gillette is a city in Northeast Wyoming halfway between Sundance and Sheridan on I-90. Gillette is a coal mining town with a population of about 33,000 (2020). Because of the coal, oil, and natural gas production, the city calls itself the energy capital of the nation.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.3 miles on West Yellowstone Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 209 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at South Park, WY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through WY can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (WY 59 / South Douglas Highway): Navigation decision point; at 38.3 miles (WY 387): Navigation decision point; at 89.5 miles (WY 259): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Grand Teton National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Park, WY before the return drive.
